Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl Guide - Texas A&M...

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Texas 4-H

QUIZBOWL

Guide

n February 1997, people from across Texas formed the Texas 4-H Horse Quiz Bowl

Rewrite Team. This team updated and revised the Horse Quiz Bowl Guide developed in the

1980s. Members include:

Patty Hayes – Brazos County 4-H Leader

Carmen Richard – Liberty County 4-H Leader

Michelle Warren – Montgomery County Extension Agent

Kevin Chilek – Extension 4-H Specialist

Wes Allison – Armstrong County Extension Agent

Bob Armentrout – Polk County Extension Agent

Reggie Lepley – Walker County Extension Agent

Michael Benefield – Instructor, North Central Texas College

Dr. Pete Gibbs – Professor and Extension Horse Specialist

Dr. Doug Householder – Professor and Extension Horse Specialist

Ken Johnson – Extension 4-H Specialist

Jeff Howard – Assistant Professor and Extension 4-H and Youth Specialist

Other project teams developing quiz bowl competitions specific to their projects had said

they needed a universal set of guidelines. This guide contains the official guidelines for all

Texas 4-H quiz bowls. Specific information about each project can be added to the back of this

guide, including official references, sample questions and project details.

As future projects develop, other quiz bowl competition materials will be added to this guide.

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Quiz BowlTEXAS 4-H

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

GUIDE

I

Mission/Purpose 1

Philosophy of Instruction and Competition 3

Quiz Bowls as a Club Activity 5

Quiz Bowl Basics 7

Contest Rules 9

Team Selection 15

Site Criteria 17

Equipment and Supplies Checklist 19

Equipment Sources 21

Management Team Preparation 23

Participants and Coaches Meeting 25

Job Descriptions 27

Question Development 39

Elimination Tournaments 45

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CONTENTS

MISSION/PURPOSE

he 4-H program seeks to provide a variety of positive

educational experiences to help youths acquire knowledge,

develop life skills and form attitudes that will enable them

to become self-directed, productive, contributing members

of society. One way to accomplish this in a specific project

area is to hold a quiz bowl.

The Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl Guide was developed to aid 4-

H project leaders. A quiz bowl can supplement or enhance

a 4-H project member’s knowledge and skills on a variety

of subjects. This material can also be adapted and used for

any 4-H project or officer training, or as a tool to teach

knowledge and skills about 4-H in general.

Aside from being an effective and enjoyable teaching

method, a quiz bowl can be used any time of the year, even

when inclement weather prohibits outdoor activities.

Another advantage of a quiz bowl is that 4-H members do

not have to finance an actual project individually to partici-

pate. This gives more youths the opportunity to learn about

a variety of projects as well as 4-H itself.

Research tells us that people are more willing and able to

learn when the learning experiences are fun. Quiz bowls are

fun! The guide will help project leaders plan, implement

and evaluate a 4-H quiz bowl for a local project meeting or

a county, district or state event. The county Extension office

can provide information about contests in your area.

PurposeA quiz bowl offers opportunities for youths to enhance

and demonstrate their knowledge and skills related to 4-H

projects in a semi-competitive setting where attitudes of

friendliness, cooperation and fairness prevail.

T

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MISSION/PURPOSE

PHILOSOPHYOF

INSTRUCTIONAND

COMPETITION

uiz bowls are a valuable teaching technique regardless

of the subject matter being quizzed. They present project

information in a semi-competitive setting characterized by

attitudes of friendliness, cooperation and fairness.

A quiz bowl is not meant to be a memorizationprocess, in that members only study questions and knowthe answers to those questions. It is a motivational tool to

provide a fun way to encourage members to learn project

information.

Quiz bowls teach such life skills as self-discipline,

observation, listening, and making and defending decisions.

They teach members to:

■ Develop reasoning and critical-thinking abilities;

■ Make sound decisions;

■ Improve their personal skills;

■ Develop quick and accurate powers of observation;

■ Express themselves concisely;

■ Develop poise, self-discipline and self-confidence;

■ Develop project knowledge and skills; and

■ Participate as a member of a team, thus developing

cooperation and teamwork among project members.

Whether the 4-H members’ learning experience is posi-

tive or negative depends on the project leader, team coach

or contest officials, how they are introduced to quiz bowls,

and how bowls work at the local or other levels. Members

should be introduced to quiz bowls in a noncompetitive

environment, such as at a project or club meeting rather than

at the county or district contest.

Begin by setting short-term goals. Rather than trying to

attain the long-range goal of “knowing it all” in a short

time, break up the information into smaller portions. For

example, during the first 2 weeks of the horse project, have

junior members learn the five parts of a saddle and 10 parts

of a horse. Then each week or two (or other time line), have

members build on that information. Senior members should

learn more than the younger ones. Ideally, the members

should acquire knowledge and skills that relate to a project

meeting just held or one to be held soon.

As a 4-H project leader, you should be able to deal effec-

tively with all age groups, but most importantly the 4-H age

group. Encourage their self-esteem and growth through pos-

itive motivation. Congratulate the members for learning

new skills and knowledge, for achieving goals, and for

being attentive and enthusiastic. Criticism in any form is

usually nonproductive. The members will make mistakes

and should be corrected in a positive manner. Teach them to

learn from their mistakes and past experiences, and encour-

age them to go forward with that new experience.

Leaders also need other skills and traits when dealing

with 4-H members:

■ Always be honest and fair. Treat every member equal-

ly. Give the members an honest assessment of their

strengths, as well as areas in which they need

improvement.

■ Teach them that each member is an important part of

the project team.

■ Give each member an equal opportunity for group

involvement. This helps them feel accepted and

involved in the learning process.

Leaders should also develop a systematic way to track

the each 4-H member’s progress. Do not include or ex-clude members from a bowl team or a project becauseyou like or dislike them. Incorporate a reward system into

the teaching process, such as a certificate of completion, an

opportunity to participate in a contest, a ribbon or medal at

an achievement event, or a simple pat on the back.

Communicate with the project member’s parents.Tell them about their child’s progress. Parents are interest-

ed in their children and can greatly help motivate them as

well as aid in the physical needs of conducting the project

and related activities, including a quiz bowl. Do not be

afraid to ask parents for help. Most are happy to assist.

Always bear in mind that the leader’s own attitudes and

behaviors affect the attitudes and behaviors of the members,

whether it concerns winning or losing, speaking to or about

someone, or their own personal actions or dress.

Q

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PHILOSOPHYOF INSTRUCTIONAND COMPETITION

QUIZ BOWLSAS A CLUBACTIVITY

any 4-H clubs or project groups may want to use a quiz

bowl as an informal educational activity. If so, the follow-

ing guidelines will be helpful:

1. Before a club meeting, select 20 to 30 questions from

the sample questions or use questions prepared by the

leader. Choose questions related to the project lesson

just taught.

2. The questions may relate to any aspect of the selected

project, but must come from the current approved ref-

erence list.

3. After the project lesson, divide the 4-H members into

two teams of not more than four members each.

Members may be substituted periodically until every-

one has had a chance to participate, or they can play

more than one round.

4. Read the rules of play to the 4-H members. Answer

questions about the rules.

5. Begin by asking each team member one question. Ask

each team member a question until every participant

has had a turn.

6. Ask the remaining questions as toss-up questions; any

4-H member may respond. Participants may respond

by using electronic responders or bells or by simply

raising their hands.

7. The first 4-H member to respond must answer the

question. If the question is answered correctly, that

team is awarded one point. If the answer is incorrect,

that team loses one point.

8. At the end of the round, the team with the most points

wins. The match ends when all questions have been

answered or the designated time runs out.

9. Ask the participants and their parents if they want to

enhance the learning experience by developing a quiz

bowl team competition.

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5

QUIZ BOWLS AS A CLUBACTIVITY

QUIZ BOWLBASICS

LocationClassroom (or other suitable location)

Teaching Time30 to 40 minutes

Materials/References“Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl Guide”

Official references for the selected project

Questions for the selected project

EquipmentNonelectronic equipment ElectronicRaise hand Game panel

Stop watch Time recorder

Voice Signaling device

Blackboard or flip char Score-keeping device

OfficialsModerator Timekeeper

Referee/judges Official scorekeeper

Scoreboard attendant

Encourage parents to get involved in project meetings as

officials.

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QUIZ BOWL BASICS

CONTESTRULES

General1. Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl contests are divided into two

divisions based on the member’s age as of August 31

of the year the contest is held (Juniors: 13 and

younger; Seniors: 14 and older).

2. No individual matches are played.

3. Anyone may help a contestant prepare for the contest.

4. The decision of the judge(s) and/or moderator is final.

5. Only the contestants, each team’s coach (of the match

in progress) and contest officials are allowed in the

contest room during the preliminary matches. If facil-

ities permit, others attending the contest may watch

the final match.

Equipment1. Game panels: An appropriate device is used to indi-

cate clearly the first contestant responding to a ques-

tion. (Sources of equipment are listed on page 21).

2. Time recorder: A stopwatch or other appropriate

timing device is required.

3. Signal device: The signal device is controlled by the

timekeeper and must have a distinctly different sound

from that of the game panel. If such a device is

unavailable, the timekeeper(s) responds vocally.

4. Score-keeping device: One device, such as a black-

board, flip chart or electronic light display, is used to

record team scores. The contestants, and if possible

the audience, must be able to see it. An oral tally will

also be given after the official scorekeeper completes

each question.

5. Questions: All questions will come from the refer-

ences listed in the current official reference list for the

selected subject matter. There are three types of ques-

tions: individual, toss-up and bonus. Toss-up and

individual questions are worth one point. All bonus

questions are worth two points throughout the match.

At least 25 percent of all toss-up questions should

have a bonus question attached.

Officials1. Moderator: The moderator is responsible for direct-

ing each match, asking all questions and accepting or

rejecting any corresponding answers unless the ques-

tions and/or answers are challenged. Further, the

moderator determines whether a single- or double-

elimination system is used and declares the winner of

each match.

2. Referee/judges: The referee or judge holds the origi-

nal reference material and provides materials for

protested questions. We recommend using at least

two referee judges who are knowledgeable about the

project. Judges, in conjunction with the moderator

and scorekeeper, rule jointly on whether a question or

answer is acceptable.

3. Timekeeper: The timekeeper monitors all intervals

and indicates when the time to respond to a question

is up. This duty can be assumed by the moderator or

another person.

4. Official scorekeeper: One person officially recordsall points scored, keeps an official record of team

playoffs and announces running tally after each ques-

tion.

5. Scoreboard attendant: After points are awarded or

deducted, one person posts team scores on a black-

board, flip chart or other visual scoring device. Thisis not the official score.

Teams1. Each team is encouraged to have four members.

Three-member teams are allowed if:

1A. During the “Individual Question” (Round 1)

segment of the quiz bowl, the individual question

for that team’s fourth member is discarded. No

points are deducted; only the opportunity for

scoring is lost.

2. Only contestants may sit at the game panel.

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CONTEST RULES (County, district and state)

Procedures of play1. Each contest is a double-elimination tournament.

2. Each match is divided into two rounds: individual ques-

tion and toss-up question. Each match has 30 questions

with the possibility of a number of bonus questions

totaling no more than 1/4 of the match questions. The

contest committee will determine how long the contest

will last.

3. The contest chairman will prepare a packet of questions

for each match. Each packet will contain typed ques-

tions using the given format on a regular sheet of paper

or index cards. If a question has several potential

answers, all should be listed. Questions may be visual,

such as those referring to a poster or overhead trans-

parency.

4. A coin toss will determine which team will answer the

first question in the first round.

5. During the individual question round, only one team

member may respond to a given question. Eligibility

alternates between teams, with the questions beginning

with first player (team captain) and passing to the sec-

ond, third and fourth players, respectively, until each

team member has a chance to answer one question

each. See Rule 1A under Teams for the exception forthree-member teams. During the second part of each

match (the toss-up round), any member of either team

is eligible to respond to a given question.

6. Teams are seated with the team captain sitting closest to

the moderator. The members will check their equip-

ment before play begins, as instructed by the timekeep-

er.

7. The moderator reads each question and its category

until he or she finishes asking the question or until a

contestant activates a buzzer. If the allowed time elaps-

es and no contestant activates a buzzer, neither team

gains or loses points. If a buzzer is activated while a

question is being read, the moderator immediately stops

reading the question and the contestant activating the

buzzer has 10 seconds after being acknowledged (the

moderator will announce before play the method of

acknowledgment) to begin to answer the question. Toanswer any question, a participant must buzz in andbe acknowledged by the moderator. If a participantanswers a question without being acknowledged, theteam loses one point. If the contestant repeats the ques-

tion, it is not considered the initiation of an answer. It is

the moderator and/or timer’s responsibility to deter-

mine if the actual answer has been started with the 10-

second period. This ruling cannot be protested.

8. If the answer to any question, whether read to comple-

tion or not, is incorrect, the question is not repeated for

the opposing team and is discarded. It is optional to

read the correct answer.

9. If a team begins to answer a question during the 10-sec-

ond period and the answer is incorrect, that team loses

one point.

10. If a team correctly answers a question within the 10-

second period, it gains one point.

11. The scorekeeper announces the gain or loss of point, as

well as the total of each team at the end of each ques-

tion. At this time, a coach may request a review of the

score if he or she thinks it is needed. Each coach may

request a review of the score a maximum of three times.

12. If a bonus question is attached to a correctly answered

tossup question, the moderator reads the bonus ques-

tion to completion. Upon completion, the team can con-

fer for 10 seconds to determine the answer. After the

consultation period, the designated team member, cho-

sen by the team during consultation, must buzz in and

has the normal 10-second period to begin answering the

bonus question.

13. No part of the bonus question may be repeated, nor may

additional information be given to the contestants.

14. Either a team captain or the moderator may call for a

time-out for a rule clarification, or to allow for any

unexpected problems. Coaches are allowed one 1-

minute time-out during the match. A “coach’s time-

out” should be used as a way to preserve the positive

youth development experience of the quiz bowl. Ifduring a “coach’s time out,” the coach behaves in away that undermines positive youth development,or is unsportsmanlike, the coach will be dismissedfrom the contest. Time-outs are allowed only after a

question is answered and before the next question is

started.

15. The moderator continues to read all toss-up questions

and any bonus questions until either the timer signals

that time has expired for that period of play, or all ques-

tions in that packet have been asked.

16. If the moderator has finished asking a question when

the signal indicates that the time period has expired,

and a team member activates a buzzer within the 10-

second period, that person must answer the question for

a possible gain or loss of points as previously

described.

17. If time expires while a toss-up question is being read,

the moderator immediately stops reading the question.

Both teams have 10 seconds to activate their buzzers

for an opportunity to answer that question.

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QUIZ BOWL CONTEST RULES

18. If time expires after a correct answer to a toss-up ques-

tion to which a bonus question is attached, the modera-

tor continues to read the bonus question and the team

has 10 seconds to confer among themselves and anoth-

er 10 seconds to begin answering the question.

19. After the last question, the team with the most points

wins. Once the winning team has been declared, there

are no protests.

20. Winners of each match advance to the next round of

competition. If teams are tied at the end of regulation

time, five additional tossup questions, each being worth

one point, will be asked. If a tie still exists after the

five-question overtime period, the moderator will con-

tinue to read toss-up questions, each being worth one

point. The first team to win a point, or take a one-point

advantage because the opposing team loses a point, is

declared the winner.

21. Unsportsmanlike conduct may result in one or more of

the following:

■ Warning;

■ Dismissal of the team member;

■ Dismissal of the coach; or

■ Dismissal of the whole team.

The moderator, judge(s) and/or scorekeeper will decide

what action to take. (If there is only one judge, the

scorekeeper will complete the three-member group.)

22. Only audience members directly associated with coun-

ties competing in the current round of play will be per-

mitted in the contest room. Any audience member mak-

ing excessive noise or movement that could influence a

team answer will be asked to leave the contest.

Protests1. Any team member may declare an unofficial protest to

a question or answer to a question, but only when a

question is read or the answer is given. Once an unoffi-

cial protest has been made, the team lodging the protest

has a 10-second consultation period to declare an offi-cial protest. The team captain buzzes in and announces

the team’s intent to lodge an official protest. If the

protest focuses on contradicting information from the

official references, the team will be allowed 2 minutes

to find the relevant facts in the official references pro-

vided by the match referee/judge.

2. A protest committee comprising the referee/judge, the

moderator and scorekeeper will consider the protest.

Their decision in all cases is final.

3. If a protest is sustained, the moderator then takes one of

the following actions as deemed appropriate:

■ If a question is protested before an answer is given

and the protest is sustained, the moderator discards

the question with no loss or gain of points for either

team.

■ If an answer is protested (given either correctly or

incorrectly), the moderator and referee judge(s) will

determine the validity of the protest and points are

added or subtracted as appropriate.

■ If a question is protested after an answer is given

(either correctly or incorrectly), the moderator and

referee judge(s) will determine the validity of the

protest. The question may then be discarded with no

loss or gain of points, or the question may be

allowed with the appropriate loss or gain of points.

4. Abusing the protest provision will result in one or more

of the following:

■ Dismissal of the team captain; or

■ Dismissal of an entire team and forfeiture of their

points. This decision is final. No protests will be

accepted.

5. Spectators, parents and visitors may not protest any

question, answer or procedure during the course of

play. They may, however, submit in writing to contest

officials any suggestions or recommendations after the

contest.

Equipment failure1. If a device malfunctions during a match or is believed

to be malfunctioning, any contestant, the moderator or

either coach may call time. If, after checking, the equip-

ment is determined to have malfunctioned, either the

system or the faulty parts will be replaced and the

match resumed.

2. The scores accumulated up to the point that time is

called stand and all further points awarded during the

remainder of the match will be added to or subtracted

from this total. However, if the moderator and the ref-

eree judge(s) deem it proper, any points awarded for the

two questions asked immediately before time was

called may be recalled and two additional questions

used. Under no conditions will a match be replayed

because of equipment failure.

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QUIZ BOWL CONTEST RULES

TEAMSELECTION

eaders should develop a systematic way to track each 4-

H member’s progress. Establish written guidelines to select

the teams, and make them available to each interested proj-

ect member at the beginning of the project. This is neces-

sary if the leader or members plan to participate in a com-

petitive event at the county or higher levels. Of course, for

competitions, the team should comprise the most consistent

and knowledgeable members. Members should not be

excluded or included on a team based on whether the

leader/coach dislikes or likes the member.

If enough people are interested, a county-level qualifica-

tion event may be held to determine which 4-H members

will represent the county in the district quiz bowl.

Depending on the number of interested 4-H members, the

county event may have teams from different clubs compete

against each other. Or, members from more than one club

may form a team. Teams to represent the county at the dis-

trict event may also include 4-H members from different

4-H clubs or project groups.

The county Extension agent works with a committee to

set up written guidelines for selecting county teams to par-

ticipate in district level bowls. This committee should refer

to the current year’s Texas 4-H Roundup Guide and/or

District Contest offerings, which indicates which, if any,

quiz bowl competitions will be held. Set a time line for

selecting teams, and establish requirements for participation

on a county team (attend practice sessions, attend contests,

etc.).

Some suggestions include (but are not limited to) these:

■ Conduct a county-level qualification event for club

teams.

■ Conduct a county-level qualification event for mixed

club teams.

■ Conduct a county-level qualification event, keeping

individual scores on each participant. The top four

scores in each age division will form the county team.

■ Prepare and give written quizzes, with the high-scor-

ing individuals in each age division to constitute the

teams.

National 4-H quiz bowls are available for some projects.

Because the rules for participating in the national events

often change from year to year, they are not included in this

guide. Your county Extension agent will receive specific

guidelines on the current advancement and qualification

procedures for teams interested in representing Texas at

these national events. National competition teams are deter-

mined at the Texas 4-H Roundup.

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TEAM SELECTION

SITECRITERIA

f a quiz bowl is used to supplement your 4-H project

meetings, you can conduct it in an informal environment—

a leader’s house, school, etc. However, as a competitive

event on the county, district or state levels, you need a more

formal environment.

Consider these factors when selecting a 4-H quiz bowl

host site:

1. One room is needed for each bowl division (junior

and senior). If you have only a few participants in a

division, you might be able to hold games for both

divisions in the same room.

2. If you use the same questions for more than one game,

provide a holding room for members to separate the

participants from those who have not yet had their

turn.

3. Participants and committee workers need a room for

orientation meetings.

4. The check-in table/area should be located in a hallway

near the contest rooms.

5. Restrooms should be close to the contest area.

6. Provide an appropriate area to conduct the awards

presentations.

The sizes of the rooms depend on the number of people

you expect for the bowl games. Keep in mind that the final

round might be conducted before an audience, so you may

need to hold the final round in a different room from where

the preliminary rounds were conducted. Leave space

between the contestants and the judge/moderator, and the

judge/moderator and the audience.

Equipment requirements■ Tables

■ Chairs

■ Buzzers with backup

■ Flip chart, blackboard or overhead

■ Score sheets/tabulation charts

■ Question list(s) (one per round and tie breakers)

■ Contest bracket

■ Pens/pencils for tabulator

■ Awards

■ Official references for selected project

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17

SITE CRITERIA

EQUIPMENTAND

SUPPLIESCHECKLIST

Each contest room needs:_____ 1. Electronic team responder equipment (be sure

to check for working order).

1A. A spare set of buzzers.

_____ 2. Tables for the moderator, judge(s), contestants

and the check-in area (see the contest area

diagrams).

_____ 3. Chairs for the moderator, judge(s), contestants

and the check-in table, etc.

_____ 4. Extension cords, power strips or a multiple-

outlet cord.

_____ 5. Flip chart, blackboard or other score-keeping

device. You may use overhead transparencies.

For these you need an overhead projector, an

extension cord, transparencies and markers.

_____ 6. Easels. You may need one for the score-keep-

ing device and one for bracket poster per age

division.

_____ 7. Contest bracket posters (who plays whom).

One is needed per age division. For a double-

elimination bowl, have one set of double-

elimination masters per contest room.

_____ 8. Markers (large and small), pencils, chalk for

keeping score, etc.

_____ 9. Bowl score sheets for each round (one per two

teams).

_____10. Clipboards for scorekeepers.

_____11. Electrical adapter for three-prong plugs.

_____12. Masking tape.

_____13. Signs to identify rooms: Check-in/Registra-

tion, Junior Bowl, Senior Bowl, Contestant

Waiting Room, Committee Orientation, Con-

testant Orientation, Awards/Recognition

Program, Schedule, and others as needed.

_____14. Scissors.

_____15. Extra paper and poster board.

_____16. Question packets for each age division for

each round, and tie-breaker questions.

_____17. Complete set of reference materials.

_____18. Chairs for the audience if spectators are

allowed to watch the final round.

_____19. Outlines for participant and worker orienta-

tion meetings.

_____20. Certificates/participation ribbons for all

participants (optional).

_____21. Team awards.

19

EQUIPMENT ANDSUPPLIES CHECKLIST

EQUIPMENTSOURCES

quiz bowl can be held without electronic equipment.

However, electronic equipment does add more excitement

and accuracy to the event.

Electronic equipment is available from one or more com-

mercial sources, or it may be built by a local resource per-

son; however, this is not a simple task! It can cost from

$200 to more than $500 to either build or buy quiz bowl

equipment. To help the electronic equipment last longer, we

recommend that you use some type of carrying case or way

to protect the equipment from dust, transport damage, etc.

Below is a partial list of commercial products and poten-

tial sources of quiz bowl equipment. Each type of equip-

ment is a little different; study carefully the information on

each piece of equipment before making a final selection.

(This list does not imply endorsement of any of the productsnor of the equipment sources by the Texas AgriculturalExtension Service. It is provided for reference only.)

Sources of Quiz Bowl equipment

Electronic quiz bowl equipment may have six, eight, ten

or more responder boxes. Keep in mind that Texas 4-H quiz

bowls require four responder boxes for each team (a total of

eight for a contest) and a 10-second timer. We recommend

that district and state level competitions use equipment with

lockout circuitry and lights on each individual responder

box.

For general descriptions and current prices on quiz bowl

equipment, contact these or other sources:

ZEECRAFT, INC.Rt. 2, Box 157H

New Milford, PA 18834

1-800-662-7474

Model TR-8510

LOGITEK ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS, INC.3320 Bering Drive

Houston, TX 77057

713-782-4592

The Quiztron

The Quiztron, Jr.

(Has no lights for audience to see)

ELECTRAMATIC, INC.1815 Jefferson Street N.E.

Minneapolis, MN 55418

612-781-9588

The Judge

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21

EQUIPMENT SOURCES

MANAGEMENTTEAM

PREPARATION

Committee and VolunteerWorkers

o prepare the committee and volunteer workers, hold a

meeting the morning of the contest or on a day before. Be

sure to schedule enough time in the meeting to answer ques-

tions, practice a mock bowl contest and work with equip-

ment.

All volunteers working in the bowl should attend this

meeting, including the coordinator, moderator, referee

judge(s), scorekeeper, timer, check-in/registration staff, etc.

The bowl coordinator will conduct the meeting.

1. Welcome and thank volunteers for their participation.

2. Check to see that all workers are present. Make intro-

ductions if needed.

a. Judge(s)

b. Moderator

c. Timer

d. Official scorekeeper/scoreboard attendant

e. Check-in/registration staff

3. Explain how the contest will be run (see related job

descriptions).

a. Check-in table duties

b. Moderator

c. Official scorekeeper/scoreboard attendant

d. Timer

e. Judge(s)

4. Practice a mock bowl contest and work with the

equipment.

5. Let the volunteers know that the bowl coordinator

will be available if workers need help.

6. Have the workers make name tags, prepare bracket

posters, room signs, etc.

7. Explain the brackets and the order that the games will

be played.

8. Explain the awards/recognition procedures/program.

9. Give directions to rooms where the bowl games will

be held. It is a good idea to show workers all the

equipment and how to operate it.

10. At the county level, keep the bowl low-key and fun!

Give the judge(s) instructions on how lenient to be

(especially for junior division).

11. Answer questions from workers.

23

MANAGEMENT TEAMPREPARATION

T

PARTICIPANTSAND

COACHESMEETING

old this meeting between registration and the start of

the bowl contest. (The orientation agenda may be adapted

for a local club or project meeting.) Allow enough time to

answer questions and show how the equipment works.

All bowl team members, coaches and volunteer workers

should attend this meeting. The bowl coordinator or moder-

ator will be in charge of this meeting.

1. Welcome the workers.

2. Explain the basic rules:

a. The moderator asks a question (10 seconds to

begin answer)

b. A participant activates a buzzer.

c. The moderator orally acknowledges the person

with the lit buzzer station.

d. The contestant answers the question (+1 for cor-

rect; -1 for incorrect).

e. The moderator asks a bonus question (The team

can discuss it for 10 seconds, then the team mem-

ber of the team’s choice must buzz in and give the

answer for the team.) (+2 correct; 0 incorrect).

f. Contestants should not push the buzzer unless they

plan to answer the question.

g. Contestants should wait to answer until they are

orally acknowledged by the moderator (-1 for not

waiting).

3. Explain whether it will be a single- or double-elimi-

nation tournament (double-elimination is encouraged

as the most fair way to play).

4. Participants may leave the bowl when their last game

is over, or they may stay and support the others.

5. The team captain sits next to moderator.

6. The team from which the protest originates is given

10 seconds to declare an official protest. The team

captain must buzz in and declare the nature of the

official protest. If the protest focuses on contradicting

information from official references, the team will be

given 2 minutes to locate the information from the

references provided by the judge/referee.

7. Everyone should wear a name tag (write the first

name in large capital letters).

8. Make sure all teams have arrived and checked in at

the registration table.

9. Show the brackets. Draw for team positions in the

brackets. This may be done by team captains, contest

coordinator or moderators, but should be done in an

open forum.

10. Keep each team informed of its playing position in the

tournament.

11. Give instructions for the awards/recognition ceremo-

ny.

12. Give instructions for lunch, snacks, building rules,

etc.

13. Stress fun and learning rather than competition!

14. Answer questions from participants.

H

25

PARTICIPANTSAND COACHES MEETING

JOBDESCRIPTIONS

Job title: Bowl coordinator

Responsible to: Extension agent

Duties and responsibilities: Become familiar with the bowl and get training and education on it. Coordinate bowl

activities and the committee that plans and organize the bowl. Recruit people for bowl

positions, educate 4-H members and leaders about the bowl, and generate enthusiasm for

the bowl within the clubs and the county. Work with Extension staff and the bowl commit-

tee to plan, implement (including developing questions) and evaluate the bowl event

(including the recognition ceremony).

Qualifications: The bowl coordinator must have organizational skills and be able to work well with people.

He or she should also be able to delegate responsibility to others. Knowledge of the subject

matter helps, but is not required.

Time commitment: This position requires 3 to 4 months to plan, publicize and implement the bowl. The actual

number of hours depends on the person selected and the number of people recruited to help.

Special notes: The bowl coordinator should study the bowl rules and information to be as knowledgeable

as possible about the bowl. This person should be willing to ask questions and have a

positive, open attitude.

27

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job title: Moderator

Responsible to: Bowl coordinator

Duties and responsibilities: Has overall responsibility for running the bowl games, including keeping the games running

smoothly, asking the questions, acknowledging the contestants and explaining the proce-

dures of play. Moderator will help and work with the judge and referees to rule on protests,

interpret rules, declare game winners and know bowl game rules.

Qualifications: The bowl moderator should be knowledgeable about the subject and bowl rules, and be a

confident speaker.

Time commitment: This short-term commitment requires at least one meeting with the bowl committee, plus

practice time to become familiar with the equipment and questions. The moderator also

must work the entire bowl competition.

Special notes: If a team interrupts a question, the moderator will stop immediately to acknowledge the

person and let him or her answer the question. If the answer is incorrect, the question is not

repeated for the opposing team and is discarded. No part of a bonus question may be repeat-

ed, nor may additional information be given to the contestants. When questions are

answered incorrectly, the moderator may read the correct answer.

Vital information: We recommend that you use visual questions only as bonus or individual questions, because

all participants must be able to see the drawing, equipment, etc.

29

QUIZ BOWL JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Job Title: Referee/judges


Duties and responsibilities: Be the final authority on whether bowl questions are answered correctly or incorrectly.

Consult with the moderator and bowl resource publications if any question arises about a

team’s answer.

Qualifications: The judge should be knowledgeable about the bowl subject and the 4-H program, preferably

a 4-H judge or other qualified person. This person should also work well with people.

Time commitment: This is a short-term position. Judges must attend the bowl worker’s committee meeting plus

work the entire bowl competition.

Special notes: The judge should become familiar with the 4-H project materials and know the basic rules

of the 4-H project and bowl. He or she will have access to these materials during the bowl

competition. Any team member may challenge a question or answer. The team is given 10

seconds to determine whether or not to declare an official protest. The team captain must

buzz in and declare an official protest. Protests are allowed only when a question is read or

the answer is given. The team will have 2 minutes to support the challenge with the

approved references.

31


Job Title: Official scorekeeper

Scoreboard attendant


Duties and responsibilities: Keep an accurate record of bowl scores. Two people must fulfill this responsibility. The

scoreboard attendant will keep a visible score sheet (on an overhead projector, newsprint,

chalkboard, etc.) for team scores. The official scorekeeper should keep team scores on a

clipboard (out of sight). The official scorekeeper should announce the points earned or lost

after each question.

Qualifications: Both scorekeepers need basic math skills and know how to keep score.

Time commitment: This short-term position requires attendance at a bowl worker’s committee meeting, plus

working the entire bowl competition.

Special notes: If a score is protested, the official scorekeeper’s records are reviewed. The scoreboard

attendant’s record is unofficial and posted merely as convenience for the participants,

coaches and audience, where appropriate. Use this scoring system for team scores:

*Individual or toss-up questions:

+1 - correct

-1 - incorrect

*Bonus questions:

+2 - correct

0 - incorrect

33


Job Title: Timer


Duties and responsibilities: The timer runs a timing device for the games. Each instance that the timing device goes off,

the timer must reset it for the next question. The timer should also keep up with the overall

time limit of the game and tell the moderator when time is up.

Qualifications: The timer should be able to concentrate and to work with the timing equipment.

Time commitment: This short-term position requires attendance at a bowl worker’s committee meeting, plus

working the entire bowl competition.

Special note: Sometimes the contest moderator does this job.

Vital information: A contestant has 10 seconds to begin answering individual or toss-up questions (repeating

a question is not considered the initiation of an answer).

For bonus questions, a team has 10 seconds to discuss the answer and choose a team

member to answer. Then that member buzzes in and has 10 more seconds to begin

answering the bonus question.

Any team member may call for an unofficial protest. The team from which the protest

originates has a 10-second consultation period to declare an official protest. The team

captain buzzes in and announces that the team intends to lodge an official protest. If the

protest focuses on contradicting information from official references, the team has 2 minutes

to find the information from the references provided by the judge/referee.

The time limit on game play can be 10 or 15 minutes. The time limit can be omitted and is

up to the bowl committee’s discretion. If there is no time limit, game play continues until all

questions are asked.

35


Job Title: Check-in table staff


Duties and responsibilities: Be in charge of the check-in table at the bowl competition. Register each team, give packets

of information and recognition items to each team captain or coach, help each 4-H member

make a name tag, and direct all team members to the room for a participants’ meeting. The

staff should also have basic information about the bowl schedule, site facilities and general

bowl information.

Qualifications: The staff should be good with people and be knowledgeable about the schedule and general

organization of the bowl.

Time commitment: For this short-term position, volunteers must attend a bowl worker’s committee meeting,

plus staff the check-in table before the bowl teams arrive and for a designated period after

competition begins.

Special notes: If lunch will not be served at the contest site, have directions to local establishments that

serve lunch. Always be courteous. Put up signs—directions to contest rooms, etc.—before

the contestants arrive.

37


QUESTIONDEVELOPMENT

Format

t is vital that you set up an organized system to devel-

op and deliver bowl questions. In the Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl

program, questions are developed for two age levels: juniors

(third grade to 13 years old) and seniors (ages 14 to 19),

with ages determined as of August 31.

Regardless of the activity level (local, county or district),

all questions should come from the list of approved resource

materials. If you use other sources not listed, the partici-

pants will become confused as they progress into competi-

tive activities. Questions for county or higher level compet-

itive events must be developed from one or more of the

approved resource materials for that contest year. It is

imperative that adult leaders and county Extension agents

contact the Texas 4-H quiz bowl coordinator to receive the

annual listing of resource materials. Place the listing in this

guide once you receive it.

Sample questions for the junior and the senior levels are

included in the supplement sections for the subject matter

areas currently offering competition. They are available in

separate sections. Quiz bowl questions can be asked in sev-

eral formats, including straight answer (sample questions),

multiple choice, definitions, identification of visuals, and

fill in the blank.

Prepare and document the quiz bowl questions carefully.

Question writers need to understand the weaknesses and

advantages of using oral questions and answers to measure

a person’s knowledge. Knowing these, writers will be better

able to develop high-quality questions.

WeaknessesOral-response questions have several disadvantages. The

oral-exam method can consume much time, especially if

difficult bonus questions are addressed to participants. Also,

it is basically an individual examination, restricted to the

verbal interaction of the moderator and the 4-H participant.

In quiz bowl competitions, always include the answer on

the page with the category question, along with the source,

page number and age division the question is most appro-

priate for (junior, senior, or both). In some situations, a

question may have more than one answer. In this case, the

judge may have to allow another answer not written on the

card. The judge also has the right to check the source infor-

mation. The competition can be scored more precisely if a

committee develops or reviews questions, to edit, verify and

document the answers as needed. This will also help ensure

that the questions are not misleading or confusing.

AdvantagesThe advantage of the oral-response test is simple.

Because it is presented and responded to orally, the 4-H par-

ticipant’s reading level and writing ability do not affect the

examination. Oral questions can be used with young chil-

dren, students who have reading disabilities, foreign partic-

ipants or culturally deprived youth.

Oral-response questioning is often useful in examining

4-H members have very advanced training and experience.

It also helps educate the attending audience. Contestants,

parents, leaders, other 4-H members and observers can hear

both the question and the resulting answer, thus experienc-

ing the actual transfer of knowledge among participants and

moderator. Note: We recommend that the final round beopen to an audience if the facilities permit.

Question construction hintsThe questions developed for bowl competition should:

■ Be related to the subject matter being evaluated.

■ Be clear and free from ambiguity.

■ Use vocabulary appropriate to the educational level of

4-H participant.

■ Be grammatically correct and free from spelling and

typing errors.

■ Be realistic and based on materials approved for

study.

■ Not be based upon the response to another question,

nor should they provide clues to other questions.

■ Avoid stereotyped or slang language.

■ Avoid complex sentences.

39

QUESTION DEVELOPMENT

I

■ Avoid true/false questions for senior level contestants

in district and state competition.

ConstructionDo not use matching exercises in quiz bowls. Bowl

activities often use true/false questions, extended-answer

and short-answer essay questions, as well as completion

questions. Again, avoid true/false questions for district and

state level competition.

When writing questions for quiz bowls, avoid using

words that sound alike. For example, with horses, estrous is

the 28-day cycle, and estrus is the heat period. Although you

can further explain and clear up the ambiguity of phoneti-

cally similar words, such explanations expend additional

time, making the bowl even less efficient for both the con-

testants and the management team. Furthermore, a 4-H par-

ticipant is likely to become more anxious if the questions

are ambiguous. However, do not make a question so long as

to make it difficult for the 4-H’er to recall the question.

When you write oral-response questions, use the same

practices as when writing comparable essay or completion

questions: Keep all questions concise, clear, grammatically

correct and unencumbered by superfluous words and phras-

es.

Who develops the questionsQuestions may be developed by project leaders, mem-

bers, Extension staff or others. The official list of references

must be the sole source for developing questions.

To further involve project members in the learning

process, a project leader could assign each member to

develop a certain number of questions from a specific refer-

ence. Ideally, the assignment should relate to a topic

addressed at that particular meeting, or the next one, to rein-

force the materials taught/to be taught. This can increase the

transfer of knowledge to the project members.

Types of questionsThree types of questions will be used:

1. Individual (to be answered by each individual during

the first part of the match): The moderator will direct

a question to a specific team member. Only the desig-

nated member may respond, and points will count

toward team scores. Team members may not discuss

the question.

Value = +1 point/correct; -1 point/incorrect2. Toss-up: Any member of either team may respond. A

bonus question may be attached. No discussion

among team members is allowed.

Value = +1 point/correct; -1 point/incorrect

3. Bonus: This question is available to the team whose

member correctly answers a toss-up question that has

a bonus attached. All parts of the bonus answer must

be correct for points to be awarded. No part of the

bonus question will be repeated, nor will additional

information be given. A 10-second discussion period

is permitted for team consultation to determine the

answer. The team member chosen by the team during

consultation must buzz in and answer the question.

Value = +2 points/correct; 0 points/incorrect

Visual questionsSome questions in each match may be of a visual nature.

Examples include an overhead transparency or poster of the

parts of the Food Pyramid, a bone from the skeletal system

of a horse, or another appropriate visual aid that could be

used from the approved question sources.

Question difficultyWhen developing questions, keep in mind that some

questions are more difficult than others. Do not expect jun-

ior members to have the same knowledge and skill levels as

senior members. Yet, some junior members may be fully

able to answer senior-level questions because they are more

experienced or have been involved in the project for many

years. Do not make all junior questions extremely easy to

answer. Include some thought-provoking questions. Some

questions may be appropriate for one age level or the other.

However, all junior-level questions should be considered

“fair game” as senior-level questions as well. Remember,

what may be easy to one person may be very difficult to

another. . .compromise is the name of the game here!

Source and page documentation

With the question, you must include the source of the

question and answer, along with its identifying page num-

ber. Use only approved sources listed for the contest being

held.

Categorizing questionsIt is a good idea to develop categories in which questions

can be grouped. For example, in the Texas 4-H Horse Quiz

Bowl the following categories have been established:

A. Nutrition

B. Genetics - coloring and breeding

C. Reproduction

D. Anatomy and Conformation

E. Horse History

41

QUIZ BOWL QUESTION DEVELOPMENT

F. Management Rules and Regulations

G. Breeds

H. Showing/Contest Rules

I. Diseases

J. Parasites

K. Horse Psychology

L. Tack and Equipment

M. Texas 4-H Horse Show

N. Rodeo

Question formatAfter you have gathered all the information for develop-

ing questions, type the questions on plain index cards (only

one question per card, and use only one side of the card). If

a question has more than one acceptable answer, include all

answers. Each card must list: Category, Question, Answers,

Source, Page, and Age Division (junior, senior, or both).

The following is a sample from the horse project:

Question managementThere are many ways to organize a system to maintain

quiz bowl questions. Each coordinator (or project leader)

can choose the best equipment and system for the situation

and supplies available.

Manila envelopes may be marked for each game (Junior

#1, Senior #2), with question cards for each game. Clearly

mark toss-up and bonus questions.

Another way to set up quiz bowl questions is to use a 3-

by 5-inch file box. Use one card for each question, and

include the answer, source and page number. Group the

cards, one group per game. Then clip or rubber band togeth-

er each group, and put the groups in a file box in the order

they will be used. You can include the bonus questions in

the group of cards or put them in a separate group. It works

well to have a separate box for each age division.

A third system allows for a single set of questions to be

read during all games in a particular round of play.

Questions are printed in the order they are to be read, and

are repeated for all games in that round. A different set of

questions is then used for each subsequent round. In double-

elimination contests, this system helps you avoid repeating

questions during the contest, while using a relatively small

number of questions. You can increase the difficulty of the

questions’ difficulty as the teams progress through rounds

of play.

Regardless of the management system used, the modera-

tor must practice with the system before the contest begins.

Submission of questions for district and state 4-H Quiz Bowl contests

Counties sending a team to compete may be asked to

submit a number of questions to the bowl coordinator. At

the district and state levels, these questions must be in the

format dictated by the coordinator to aid in their review and

documentation. A selected committee will review these

questions, and some may be used in current or subsequent

contests.

43

H. Showing/Contest Rules

Q. Polo games are divided into periods called __________.

A. Chukkers

S: “Horses and Horsemanship”

P: 45

D: Both

QUIZ BOWL QUESTION DEVELOPMENT

ELIMINATIONTOURNAMENTS

n elimination tournaments, the participants/teams drop

out when they lose until only one winner remains. There are

two basic types of elimination tournaments—single and

double—with various consolation and combination meth-

ods that may be used with each. In the Texas 4-H Quiz

Bowl program, it is suggested that all county, district and

state competitive events use double-elimination, random-

draw tournaments.

The double-elimination tournament differs from a sin-

gle-elimination tournament in that each team is guaranteed

to play a minimum of two games. Because of this, the dou-

ble-elimination tournament produces a more valid winner

than does single-elimination. A team that has an “off-time”

could still go undefeated the rest of the way and meet for the

contest championship. Also, the second-place team could

lose early in round play to the eventual winner and still meet

in the championship round.

In an elimination tournament format, the games are

divided into sets of vertical brackets (one bracket represents

one game). The number of brackets needs to equal a perfect

power of two. The “magic numbers” for this type of tourna-

ment are 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, etc. If you do not use the power

of two, somewhere in round play a team will progress

through a round with a “bye.” This is the case in the Texas

4-H Quiz Bowl, because 24 teams can qualify for state

roundup (two per district), and 24 is not a power-of-two

number.

The best way to assign teams their positions in the Texas

4-H Quiz Bowl is by random draw. Each team captain

draws from the available positions and is assigned to the

corresponding numbered position. In some instances “byes”

are needed to make the system of play and brackets work

correctly. If “byes” are used, put them in the first round and,

if possible, spread them evenly throughout the brackets so

that no bracket grouping is given an advantage. “Byes”

must be assigned before the random drawing.

On the following pages are the brackets used for the

Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl contest. A Winners Division and a

Non-Winners Division are shown. Every registered team

starts in the Winners Division and, depending on its status

after each subsequent match, either stays in the Winners

Division, moves to the Non-Winners Bracket, or is elimi-

nated from match play.

All matches should be numbered in both brackets of

play. The winner of a match in the first round continues in

the Winners Bracket with the loser going to the Non-

Winners Bracket and assuming the corresponding position

based on the game number lost. For example, (refer to the

enclosed brackets) the loser of game 11 (L11) would go to

the Non-Winners Bracket and assume the top position of

game 18 and the loser of game 12 would be its opponent for

game 18. Any team defeated in the Non-Winners Bracket is

eliminated from further play.

The “Rounds” designated on the two bracket pages cor-

respond to the number of question packets that can possibly

be used in a contest. The contest chairman may repeat the

same questions for all matches in a particular round, there-

by reducing the number of questions needed for the contest.

As an example, all matches played in Round 1 would use

the same questions. New questions would be used only for

subsequent rounds of play. The Texas 4-H Quiz Bowl con-

test brackets are developed so that only 10 rounds of ques-

tions are needed (along with tie-breakers) and no team hears

a question more than once in match play. If you use indi-

vidual game packets, you will need many more questions.

In this instance, 46 game packets would be needed along

with tie breakers.

45

ELIMINATIONTOURNAMENTS

I

47

Round I Round II Round III Round IV Round V Round IX Round X

1

19

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

24

33

23

22

21

32

20

31

40

43

W45

WINNER BRACKET(Based on a 24 Team Format)

49

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

110

111

112

13

34

12425

14

12326

13337

15

122 27

35

38

41

12128

44

45143

16

17

12029

36

39132

1404230119

18

Round II Round III Round IV Round V Round VI Round VII Round VIII

NON-WINNER BRACKET(Based on a 24 Team Format)

Produced by Agricultural Communications, The Texas A&M University System

Extension publications can be found on the Web at: http://agpublications.tamu.edu

Educational programs of the Texas Agricultural Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion,age or national origin.Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension Work in Agriculture and Home Economics, Acts of Congress of May 8, 1914, as amended, andJune 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture. Chester P. Fehlis, Deputy Director, Texas AgriculturalExtension Service, The Texas A&M University System.

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